'If I didn’t write about him, I’m afraid I might become him': the making of Taxi Driver at 50

February 9, 2026

TL;DR

Taxi Driver, released 50 years ago, is seen by screenwriter Paul Schrader as a precursor to modern 'incel' culture.
Schrader wrote the screenplay during a period of personal crisis, including job loss, homelessness, and heavy drinking.
The film's themes of urban alienation and moral decay were inspired by Schrader's observations and readings of existential literature.
Key scenes, like the 'You talkin' to me?' mirror sequence, involved improvisation by Robert De Niro.
The film's final shootout was desaturated to achieve an R rating, and composer Bernard Herrmann died hours after completing the score.
Taxi Driver won the Palme d'Or at Cannes despite some initial negative reactions and walkouts.
The film's intense personal impact is highlighted by instances of viewers feeling the film was about them, and John Hinckley Jr.'s attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan, inspired by Jodie Foster's role.
Schrader sees the modern 'manosphere' and 'incel' culture as a continuation of the alienation depicted in the film.
The film's cultural relevance is attributed to its ability to capture a specific moment in time and resonate with young men across generations.

Continue reading the original article